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Experienced gardeners are well aware of this reality and have even come to enjoy the ephemeral nature of their outdoor spaces.
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Looking to plant some palm trees either in your garden, around your home, or perhaps even consider one as an indoor plant? In this guide, you'll learn all you need to know about how to care for palms, no matter the type! You'll learn about their watering requirements, hardiness zones, soil types, pruning needs, and more!Palm trees add the perfect tropical touch to a landscape. Their tall, slender trunks and feather-like fronds, which sway gently in the breeze, create the illusion of a beach setting. Sadly, not all areas are endowed with tropical soil; you may need to learn a thing or two about growing and taking care of them. Proper palm tree care varies depending on the type grown, the location (indoors or outdoors), and the climate. People living in the northern regions, for example, need to grow particular varieties like the cabbage palm and Chinese palm trees and provide special care. Before looking at how to care for palm trees, we explain the process of selecting a young one and the best place to plant it. In the following guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about their care, both indoors and outdoors.As highlighted earlier, palm tree care begins with the proper selection of a species. There are tropical, subtropical, desert species and those that grow in cold-weather regions like Alaska. Other varieties thrive in moist and dark environments, while others do well in hot climates. Here are popular varieties and where to grow them: These varieties tolerate heat as most of them are from desert climates or warm Mediterranean climates. They include: Date palms: This variety is excellent for commercial use. In the United States, it thrives in sheltered in regions located within USDA zone 8 like California, Nevada, and Arizona King Palm: This kind is best grown in warm climates and moderately humid; too much humidity can burn their leaves and cause them to develop brown spots. King Palms also grow pretty fast, hence being best for outdoor use. Parlor Palm: This variety is ideal for regions within zones 9-10, i.e. areas with temperatures of -6.7C- 4.4 C. The Parlor Palm doesn’t grow as fast; hence it is great for the indoors. Windmill palm: This variety is also great for indoor use because of its slow growth. It’s fan-shaped, has green fronds, and the trunk looks like it has been covered in burlap. This palm thrives best in USDA zones 8-11 (-6.7 C – 10 C)
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If you’ve heard the snap and crack during a winter weather event, you’ve experienced the dread of a fallen limb or, worse, an entire tree. Garden expert Katherine Rowe looks at the best care for trees after a heavy snowfall to prevent further damage. Trees are the “bones” of the garden and those strong, magnificent bearers of everything from ornamental appeal and shade to soil stabilization, carbon sequestration, and wildlife nesting and forage. While able to withstand all kinds of conditions, heavy, wet snowfall and ice are a lot (literally) for tree branches to hold, causing them to be damaged under the weight. Winter and early spring storms can bring snow, ice, and high winds to cold climates. They also do severe damage in warmer areas that traditionally don’t experience wintry conditions. Specimens with multi stems or brittle limbs are most susceptible to breakage, but all trees can incur damage in winter extremes. How we address heavy snowfall is important in aftercare for susceptible branches, and the proper management keeps us from doing unintentional damage. Preventative measures help overall tree health in withstanding winter weather. Know the Most Susceptible Trees Both deciduous and evergreen tree species are susceptible to damage from heavy snowfall and ice. To hone in on those in your landscape with the greatest tendency to break, here are a few to keep an eye on: Weak-wooded and fast-growing deciduous species like cottonwood, ash, elm, willow, poplar Multistemmed selections like birch, arborvitae, juniper Trees with more than one central leader (main branch) Wide spreading canopies, horizontal branching Those with poor form (deep v-shaped or narrow angles) and deadwood Aged specimens After Care Once the snow falls or ice forms, there are measures to address weighted stems and any resulting breakage. One of the best first steps is to wait until ice and snow naturally melt in warming sunshine, usually a quick process, to assess the damage. For personal safety, we can’t overstate the importance of not standing beneath or working on large trees or branches impacted by heavy snowfall and winter damage. Limbs and entire trunks can snap or uproot at any time due to wet, saturated conditions. Interacting with branches can promote movement and cracking or dislodge hangers. Let snow and ice naturally melt in these cases, and enlist a certified arborist to assess preservation measures post-storm. Snow If heavy snowfall, not ice, is the main event, tend to young and small trees to dislodge the pack and prevent damage. When limbs bend under the weight of heavy snowfall, it’s tempting to give them a hardy shake. Vigorous shaking, though, can cause too much bounceback as stems are flexible. The snapback with the snow lifted may cause splitting. Instead of big shaking, do so lightly. You can also sweep the snow off the branch in an upward motion, keeping the weight off the end of the bending stem. Alternatively, lifting the branch is a safe means of displacement. Using a broom handle or other pole, lift the limb from below for subtle movement. Stand aside and watch for falling branches and snow as you lift. Don’t hit the stem to shed snow; it can damage bark and tissue. Ice Ice storms often do the most damage, sweeping lots of small and large debris from trees in a single event. To view the destruction of a severe ice storm is equivocal to the aftermath of a hurricane. A layer of ice makes stems brittle, and working with them leads to easy breakage. Ice is best left to melt in the sun, as opposed to using hot or cold water to accelerate melting on an above-freezing day. Water adds weight through saturation, and hot water can cause tissue damage in addition. Avoid lifting or shaking icy branches. If the tree shows bending, add a support prop to discourage further weight, but avoid trying to raise the branch. Remove the prop once the ice melts so branches can naturally return to shape. Treating Breakage If damage is minimal (like small twigs and branches), the woody grower will rejuvenate on its own in coming seasons. Breaks that need attention are ragged cuts, hanging limbs, and those not at a growth point. Consider pruning as a means toward recovery if: the tree is otherwise healthy the primary trunk and most significant branches are intact at least 50% of the crown remains the remainder is sound When a limb breaks, it can leave a jagged, splintered cut in the branch or junction point. Make a clean cut when possible to minimize exposed tissue. Reducing exposure prevents subsequent wound damage like moisture and disease intrusion. Trees are adept at healing, and a clean cut is a good foundation for warding off pathogens. New growth emerges at a healthy node before the cut. Trim back any small stem breaks to the first healthy branch. If the end of a large branch is gone, trim it back to a healthy branching node for growth to develop around the tip. On conifers, damage to the central leader is recoverable by pruning it back for new leaders to develop. Continued pruning fosters the best shape for sturdy, wind-resistant forms. Topping, removing, or reducing leaders on all trees results in less structural integrity. They become prone to future weakness and wind toppling. Tree Tying Tying the branches of susceptible evergreen trees is a means of preventing winter damage before a heavy snowfall or storm. This is most feasible for small specimens and young trees. In this method, branches are bundled upward toward the trunk using soft, flexible ties. The aim is to prevent weighty snow from accumulating. It also protects against ice damage. To tie stems, wrap flexible material (bungee cords, fabric strips, nylon hose) around the entire conifer. Create a cone shape with a gentle binding to support stems and shed snow. Remove the ties after the threat passes or late in the season as conditions moderate. Protective Barriers If you have a spot in your yard prone to drifts or piling, like snow sliding off a peaked roof, installing a temporary barrier is an option. These can stay in place all winter to protect individual specimens or go in for the short term before a storm. Wooden Structures Basic wooden structures become reusable forms to hold heavy snowfall off the tree. Repurpose wooden boards to build an A-frame or box structure around the tree. Secure the pieces using nails, screws, or hinges. With the frame in place, use a tarp, plastic sheeting, burlap, or landscape fabric to cover it during the weather event. Staple or tie the cover to the frame. After the weather clears, remove the cover to allow exposure to sunlight, moisture, and airflow. Keep the frame in place for the season, replacing the cover as needed. If leaving the cover in place for extended periods, opt for burlap since it’s breathable. In spring, store the frame for next year or repurpose the wood. Evergreen Boughs Clip evergreen boughs or repurpose your Christmas tree to position against small trees and shrubs. The added coverage collects and displaces snowfall. Arrange the boughs by leaning them against the existing growth so snow slides down and off. The extra insulation also helps against ice. Managing Bent Branches Leaders and stems may show a bent form even after the snow and ice passes. Without breakage present, they’ll likely rebound over time. Resist the urge to prop or tie them up. Let them reform naturally to minimize weakness or breakage. If drooping, bending, or distorting is still evident by early summer, strapping and wooden supports can help train the stems. Use tree staking supplies like flexible straps or fabric strips tied to bamboo or other wooden stakes for repositioning. Take off the strapping in one or two growing seasons to avoid girdling as the tree grows. Preventative Pruning Pruning contributes to long-term health and improves resistance against winter injury. The goal of preventative pruning is to direct growth to retain a sturdy structural form. Leave big cuts and structural decisions to professional arborists. Prune out dead, diseased, or crossing limbs any time of year. Stop any pruning by late summer to avoid generating new growth. Tender stems are susceptible to weakness and winter dieback, potentially damaging the limb in freezing situations. Pruning deciduous trees during dormancy allows full visibility of structure and form while growth is inactive. Pruning when dormant doesn’t promote new growth until temperatures warm. Prune to develop a central leader (primary branch) and a scaffolding structure suitable to the species. Start with young trees to foster the best form and strength.
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Are you curious about mangrove trees you've seen across the Florida coastline? Mangrove trees can come in many different shapes and colors, and they are critical not just to the ecosystem in Florida, but around the world. Read on to learn more about these amazing trees, and why they are so important. If you’ve spent time at the southern coast of Florida, you may have noticed strange-looking forests of trees and shrubs at the water’s edge. These are mangrove forests. The United States has around 1,500 square miles of mangrove forests. Almost all of these are located at the southern Florida coast. Unlike indoor plants that are purely decorative, Mangroves have plenty of purposes and are of great importance to Florida’s natural ecosystem. Since the coast is normally an uninhabitable area for trees, naturally this can encourage a variety of questions from Florida natives and non-natives alike. You may be asking, why are they able to survive in these areas? What are the purposes that make them so important? In this article, we will answer these questions and more. By the end, you’ll understand why Florida mangroves are critical to the Florida ecosystem, and why they need to be preserved. Keep reading to find out more about these majestic trees, their importance, the troubles they are currently facing, plus what we can do to help. What Are Mangroves? Mangrove Trees are located off coastal locations all over the world. Mangroves are trees or shrubs that grow in salt water along the coastline. While it may be unusual that these trees grow in saltwater, they are actually able to derive fresh water from where they are planted. Some of the mangroves are able to secrete excess salt through their leaves. Others block the salt at the roots. The low-oxygen soil and slow current of water allow sediments to build up, thus providing a suitable home for the mangrove trees. Since mangroves cannot tolerate cold temperatures, they grow only in tropical or subtropical regions, just like the south of Florida. You can identify mangroves not just by where they live, but by the dense system of prop roots exposed above the water’s edge. This makes it look like the trees are standing on stilts. Prop roots have also given the mangrove the nickname “the walking tree”. The tangled prop roots provide a means for the mangroves to survive getting flooded. This happens at least twice a day, with the rising and falling of the tides. These roots are also instrumental in slowing the movement of tidal waters. This makes the sediments settle out of the water and build up the muddy bottom nicely. Are All Mangrove Trees Related? It’s interesting to note that the various species of mangroves are not really closely related to each other. Although, they all have the capacity to grow in unlikely terrain. There are around 54 species of true mangroves that belong to 16 different families. In Florida, the most well-known mangrove is probably the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle). It is easily identifiable by its reddish prop roots. Black mangroves (Avicennia germinans) are found in slightly higher elevations from the red mangrove. You can identify them by the many finger-like projections, called pneumatophores, that stick out from the soil around the tree’s trunk. Lastly, white mangroves (Laguncularia racemosa) are found even further upland from red and black mangroves. It has no visible aerial root systems. You can identify the white mangrove by their leaves: they are a light yellow-green color, elliptical in shape, and two have distinct glands at the base of the leaf blade. Beyond this, the term “mangrove” is also used to refer to a mangrove community of trees and shrubs that live along the shoreline. This also creates a place for different plants and animals to call home, all encompassed by the name “mangrove”. The different marine organisms that attach themselves to mangrove roots also help the mangroves by filtering water and trapping nutrients for creatures living among the mangroves to enjoy. Why Are Mangroves Important? Mangrove Trees are an important part of the ecosystem for many reasons. Now that you know what mangrove trees are, it’s time to learn what value they give to the world. There are several different reasons as to why mangrove forests are important. They play a significant role in their ecosystem and beyond. Let’s explore this further. They Provide Shelter As we have previously learned, mangroves have a tangled root system. This creates a great home for significant amounts of biodiversity. The roots form a special underwater habitat. Fish and other organisms, like snails and shellfish, flock to for food and shelter. It provides a safe place for nurseries to form for fish of varying sizes. This keeps them away from predators, allowing them to breed and exist safely. Beyond this, mangroves also make a fantastic place for insects, monkeys, migratory birds, and sea turtles to call home. Many of the species that find themselves seeking shelter in mangrove forests are endangered; mangroves help to sustain their lives in ways that would not normally be possible. They Keep Water Clean Mangroves also help to clean the waters in and around their forests. The dense system of roots traps and filters phosphates, nitrates, and other pollutants. This helps to keep the water quality pure, clear, and healthy. Because they are able to prevent pollutants from contaminating the waters downstream, mangroves help save coral reefs and seagrass beds. They help keep the ocean and nearby water sources clean for everyone. Mangroves also absorb nutrients from runoff, helping prevent harmful algal blooms offshore. This is quite a big problem in South Florida, so we’re glad mangroves are doing their part! They Create Livelihood Mangroves help to create a livelihood for many different kinds of people. The wood from the trees is used in providing fuel and rot-resistant, hardy materials for construction. Many people also use the leaves of mangrove trees as fodder for their animals, helping to sustain local agricultural efforts. This goes double for the different fishing communities that use mangrove forests as a steady supply of fish and shellfish. It’s also a common practice around the world to use the plant extracts medicinally; preliminary studies have shown they have an antibacterial effect against pathogenic bacterial strains. Ecotourism is also a factor in what makes mangrove forests important. This helps to create a good income for those in the area. Sports fishing, birdwatching, and kayaking are all great activities to partake in around the mangrove trees. It also helps that mangrove forests are often located near coral reefs and along sandy beaches. Provided that ecotourism is done sustainably, it can be a great incentive to preserve mangrove trees and continue creating revenue for those who run these businesses. They Protect People Mangroves also have a special role in keeping people safe. Coastal areas benefit from mangrove forests as they protect against erosion, flooding, and hurricanes. Their root systems act as a natural buffer against storm surges and rising tides. This is especially helpful in the fight against climate change. Adding to this, mangroves are part of blue carbon ecosystems. These ecosystems are up to 10 times more effective in absorbing and storing carbon versus terrestrial ecosystems. How mangroves do this is by capturing carbon dioxide emissions and other harmful greenhouse gases. They then store these gases in the carbon-rich soil beneath them. This helps keep the atmosphere cleaner, which is great news for all of us. What Endangers Mangrove Forests? There are a number of dangers to Mangroves, including man-made trash, and climate change. Unfortunately, mangrove forests everywhere are threatened, including the ones in Florida. Studies have shown that over the last one hundred years, Tampa Bay has lost around 44% of its coastal wetlands acreage, including mangroves and salt marshes. Lake Worth has also experienced a changing system in its mangroves; over 87% of its mangrove acreage has been lost in the last 40 years alone! While it’s true that natural degradation of mangrove forests definitely occurs, the majority of mangrove forest loss is a direct result of human activity. Development projects, water pollution, dredging, filling, aquaculture, and deforestation all impact the disappearance of mangrove forests both in Florida and all over the world. This also has a negative impact on the ecosystems housed in the roots of mangroves. Since many of the creatures lose their homes, their lives are also endangered. When mangrove forests are destroyed, they release the massive amounts of carbon dioxide they have been holding onto in their root system. This contributes negatively to climate change. Moreover, as the temperatures climb worldwide, so do the rising sea waters. While mangrove forests are normally able to migrate inland, human development has prevented them from doing this. Mud build-up is also necessary to help the transition. However, in many parts of the world, the waters are rising faster than mud can build up. With the change of the climate also comes an increase in hurricanes and other storms that can severely damage sparse mangrove habitats. What Can We Do to Help? There are many ways that you can help keep Mangroves healthy, starting with getting educated.It goes without saying that there are plenty of factors led by human impact that put these important forests in danger. Some studies show that by the end of the 20th century, over 50% of the world’s mangroves had been destroyed. Today, half of that number remains in poor condition. Given their great significance to humans and animals alike, it is of utmost importance that mangrove forests be revitalized. There are many different ways to help this cause.
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Arborvitae are all the rage for adding a luxurious living fenceline to your landscaping. But what are the care requirements, and how easy or difficult are they to grow? Gardening expert Kelli Klein walks you through the steps to provide optimal growing conditions for your arborvitae hedge. Arborvitae is a coniferous tree or shrub in the Cyprus family. This North American native tree has quickly gained popularity as an ornamental. It is commonly used to create a living privacy screen, fence, or windbreak in the landscape. It grows in a wide range of environments throughout North America within USDA growing zones two through eight. This tree is adaptable to a variety of soil conditions provided that they are well-drained and that it receives full sun. It is also a long-lived perennial and can survive for anywhere between 25 and 150 years! This means it will be a long-lasting presence in your garden. Also known as northern white-cedar, eastern white-cedar, and the shorthand slang “arbs.” Other common names include swamp cedar, American arborvitae, and eastern arborvitae. The name arborvitae is Latin for “tree of life.” They are perennial evergreen shrubs or trees in the genus Thuja that are widely used in ornamental landscaping today. French botanists brought this evergreen back to Paris in 1536, making it the first North American tree species to be brought to Europe. It was quickly adopted as an ornamental plant. Because of its rot-resistant wood, these trees were used by Native Americans to build canoes. These trees are native to North America, specifically eastern Canada and north-central and northeastern United States. In Canada, its range reaches the Arctic tree line and the southern tip of the Hudson Bay. It prefers to grow in places with cooler summers and a shorter growing season. Connecticut is on the southern edge of its native range. Arborvitae are upright trees with feathery sprays of flat, dark green, scaly needles that resemble juniper foliage. The trunk has red-brown bark, and they produce seed cones that start slender and yellow-green and turn brown as they mature. It tends to grow in a pyramid-like shape which can be exaggerated through pruning. Many varieties are available, which can range in size and foliage color. Nowadays, it is used as an ornamental. Historically, the bark and foliage has been brewed into a vitamin-C-rich tea used to treat scurvy. The rot-resistant wood is also used for fencing and log cabins. An oil can be extracted from the boughs and is used in cleansers, soaps, and perfumes, which smells like cedar. As an ornamental in the landscape, is it used to create a living privacy fence, a windbreak, or to add a pop of evergreen color to the landscape year-round. Arborvitae plants are widely available at big box stores, online retailers, and local nurseries. Searching online retailers will give you the biggest range of varieties available. On the other hand, shopping at a local nursery will likely result in picking up a variety that is well-suited to your area, not to mention the in-person information that you can receive at a local nursery. If you have a friend growing arborvitae, then you might be able to get your hands on some cuttings. More on that later! The best time to plant is in early spring before they are actively growing. Planting in early spring will ensure that roots can establish before the first frost and successfully survive over winter. To plant your tree, dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just deep enough so that it matches the depth of its original container. Backfill with a mixture of the soil that was dug out of the planting site and compost. Water it in well. Space trees at least three to four feet apart to give them space to fill in.
Read MoreFind and share everyday cooking inspiration on Allrecipes. Discover recipes, cooks, and how-tos based on the food you love and the friends you follow.
We’re hot and spicy… literally!
Budget-friendly crispy shrimp tossed in a creamy, sweet sauce topped with caramelized walnuts! Tastes just like take-out, but BETTER!
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The best and EASIEST way to make mushrooms. In a crockpot with garlic, herbs and butter! Just 5 min prep.
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Transform your leftovers into the easiest and most amazing post-Thanksgiving sandwich. It will be the BEST grilled cheese!
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This is one of the easiest and most flavorful ways to prepare this veggie. And you know you can’t ever go wrong with Parmesan!
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